Service Analyst for Virtual Collaboration Review

My placement with GSK was varied, challenging but most of all rewarding. I was given the chance to complete training and travel abroad. The placement gives you opportunities that you have to make the most of. If you do you will gain the recognition you deserve. I would strongly recommend my IT placement at GSK.

The year started with colleagues setting up time to introduce themselves and were really willing to spend time helping me. By the end of the 12 months they were asking if I really wanted to go back to uni as I was on such a level with the rest of the team. Your fellow placement students will also become your favourite colleagues!

Despite my manager being based in the US, she gave me an unbelievable level of support whilst encouraging and enabling me to make my own decisions (which she would then back) when necessary. I’ve learnt that a manager who is super open, hard working and happy to help prioritise makes a very good working relationship.

Due to the 24 hour working environment and being the only member of my team in the region, I was often too busy. However there was never any pressure to stay late and my manager did a good job of managing my workload wherever she could. At the end of the day, from what I witnessed you make your own workload be that a good or bad thing.

I was given masses of responsibility and this was something I thrived on. During trips abroad I would be expected to deliver as I was sent alone but support was there from management who were keen to check in. By the end of my placement my team were asking me how they could best fill the gap I would leave behind.

I expect the skills I’ve learnt on placement to equip me for live. This is largely due to the variety of skills I was equipped with and life experience. Besides the skills you develop the relationships you develop are very important to. Senior Vice Presidents and Directors are happy to spend time with you if you iniate it!

Besides the placement students lots of your colleagues are older but they are very interested in talking to you and there were lots of social occasions organised. The kitchen was always well stocked and the atmosphere was relaxed. Working from home was also possible with permission (you had to deliver to earn this)

The agency you are employed through are hard work. There processes for simple things like how much holiday do I have left are slow and often lead to more questions. From the GSK side of things, everything was much better. Managers had introduction plans set up and targets for the year.

We were the given the opportunity to participate in training courses that result in qualifications like ITIL certification and there are further opportunities for training if you make the effort to find them. All of the funding was provided by GSK and this was a real bonus that will set me up for my career ahead.

My team were desperate to keep me on over the summer and even offered me a better deal to do this. They also want to keep me on during the final year of uni (working remotely part time). I’m terms of as a graduate this is still up in the air but the signs are hopeful.

The placement students in my area of IT were a very close social bunch. We even went to Copenhagen as a group purely for a social trip. We all planned nights out and are keen to stay in touch. The friends made over the year was definitely a highlight. Just make sure you make the effort too!

The edge of London is still expensive especially if you want to travel in. I lived within walking distance and I couldn’t recommend that more. The pay was very reasonable and more than enough to support you for the year. The bonus we received certainly enhanced the social experience and gave disposable income

In the area we worked itself there wasn’t a lot. There were a few nice bars and restaurants that overlooked the office (not ideal even if it is a great office) that we did make the most off due to convenience. Having said that London is on the doorstep... enough said.

This is one area it would of been nice to have a little more but there are sports clubs you can join and there was informal sporting sessions at lunch times. There were also “treasure hunts” which were better than they sound (well worth the prizes at the end). I expect this to be something they try to improve